Citizens’ group recommends Victoria-Saanich amalgamation [Video]

After eight months of research, a citizens’ assembly of residents from Saanich and Victoria, B.C., said both municipalities would be better off if they were to become one. 

Saanich and Victoria are the two most populous municipalities on southern Vancouver Island, with populations of 117,735 and 91,867, respectively, according to 2021 census numbers from Statistics Canada.  

While they share some regional services, they are governed separately — with separate mayors and councils, separate police forces, and more. 

In a non-binding referendum in 2018, residents approved each municipality spending up to $250,000 to study whether they would benefit from …